POLITICS

NIGERIA GOVERNMENT, PEOPLE AND CHURCH



The constant search for after life, salvation or redemption has led mankind to seek the knowledge of his creator and other creations. Where we come from, our mission on earth and our destination as become a mystery yet to be unraveled. With limited knowledge of God and the mystery behind creation, the existence of mankind has become a challenge to him. This confusion has given credence to the emergence of some set of smart people who claim to be spiritually endowed with the knowledge of God. People now depend on them to guide them through their days on earth to follow the path to destiny.

A dispirited environment with unpredictable economy like ours can lead even the most prudent of men to avoidable temptations. The acclaimed men of God and self ordained pastors are full of false promises of moving their would be followers from sorrow to joy hence they can pay the price. With such vulnerable minds, the church has become a booming industry attracting all calibres of people including those who are supposed to be prudent enough to discern between fact and fiction. With the level of poverty in the country, people are attracted to anything good or bad, right or wrong that could promise any glimpse of hope. The self ordained pastors and ministers of God who vehemently preach the words of wisdom in the valley of confusion with divergent doctrines keep giving their followers hopes that never comes, while actualizing their own dreams by exploiting these followers. These men of God have access to basic things of life this country at the detriment of their followers.


The high profitability of church has led to high labour turnover in the industry as no pastor wants to be under another pastor. Every pastor wants to be the general overseer of his own church. As a result of this hundreds of churches spring up in different parts of the country every year seeking for followers. with multitude of followers, churches now reap without sowing and the more eloquent a preacher is the more the fortunes. Churches in Nigeria operate tax free because their counterparts on the other side see them to be preaching the rare words of God to direct morality and ethical behaviour that curbs crime in the society. It’s a live and let live affair between the church and government. Ironically even with the conglomerate of churches, crime is alarmingly increasing in Nigeria.


The church has become a profitable venture that attracts investors who seek profit for their investment. The government has subjected the people to constant torture, starvation and abject poverty. The people in agony run to church for safety but, little did they know that the church is there to give them non resistant mindset about the government and teach them how to suffer and smile. The church never confronts the government rather they support the politicians who have created an enabling environment for them to operate. It is clear that the men of God of this country are taking undue advantage of the bad governance. Life expectancy in Nigeria is dropping geometrically and the church is making people feel happy about it.

Politics on the other hand has equally become a new corporation for investors. Established politicians who have tasted its rewards with little or no short comings have vowed to hang on because it is the easiest source of illicit money. The godfather syndrome has even worsend the political situation in the country because sponsored individuals to various political portfolios ensure that their sponsors recover what they investors fast as possible. In reality, no one is in the political industry in Nigeria to serve the people but himself and the interest of the godfathers.


The dishonesty associated with both corporations has rendered a meaningless future for the people of Nigeria especially the poor. Government must find a way to tax the churches heavily. people are being oppressed and exploited by the so called pastors , prophets and acclaimed men of God who have created the biggest money making venture in the name of the Almighty whose place of worship has been turned into business centers. The people of Nigeria are as helpless as a lamb between a lion and a wolf.


OCHEMBA CHALES OKECHUKWU